ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

11 years, 4 months ago - Dan Selakovich

Hi Eoin, take Viki's advice.

Professional readers aren't exactly the neophytes Vasco makes them out to be (at least the ones I know or have been the "victim" of). While I'm sure some companies use interns as readers, they are really low end production companies, and the coverage by their readers shows it. Studio readers here in the U.S., for the large part, have degrees in English, literature, film history and the like. Studios tend to want readers to consider concept over story. A great concept but lousy execution can still get you that rare "recommend" or at least a "Strong Consider". They do the invisible things like "which A List talent would like this roll?" If they can answer that question, they might give a script a "Consider." My point is, there is much more that goes into a Reader's job than a short synopsis. You need to know the politics, the invisible elements, and even the mundane parts of a Reader's job. Take a course.

11 years, 4 months ago - Vicki Jung

Hi Eoin

A good place to start is by doing a script reader training course. I did the Industry script readers training course at The Script Factory, this is unfortunately no longer running but Industrial Scripts also runs a script reading course, which includes providing advice about how to get paid work.

Good Luck

Vicki Jung
(script editor)

11 years, 4 months ago - Jocelyn Milhous-Tanner

I've been looking for you! Have a look at www.fullystaffedmedia.com. We are accepting submissions from screenwriters as part of BFI and Skill Set training programs. With your background, I think we can help you find the best course with some fees covered by funding bodies, and we have plenty of submissions for practical experience. Have a look at fullystaffed media ltd. and get in touch to discuss further. best- Jocelyn PS- The lower case letters in the company name are deliberate! ;-)

11 years, 4 months ago - Eoin Maher

Thanks for the advice guys. I have a degree in Film History and English Literature from Trinity in Dublin and an MA in filmmaking so those may help. The MA however didn't give me an insight into how to peruse writing. Although it encourage writing we were not given as strong a focus on script as I should have liked. After making films for awhile I realised how much I loved the story telling aspect and how that is the genesis of the whole project. Anyway I'll be doing a script reading course this weekend and moving forward from there. Thank you

11 years, 4 months ago - Lucy Hay

Hi Eoin, Vicki and Dan are right - a script reading course is probably your best bet nowadays, though interning can be just as valid a route, though these days scriptreading internships can be problematic to find. As luck would have it I have an entire blog post dedicated to this very question at my site, complete with info on how I became a script editor, plus links and recommendations from commenters at the bottom on the script reading courses they've taken. Here it is: http://bit.ly/WtHr4q. Best of luck! Lucy V

11 years, 4 months ago - Vasco de Sousa

I would not waste time or money with a script reading training course. What you want to do is get work at a studio. Script reading is kind of an entry level (read, low paid) job where you read a bunch of crappy screenplays so people with better jobs don't have to. You condense them into one page or half page summaries. You can also do this for agencies, and sometimes interns will do this job.

If, on the other hand, you want to be a big shot script doctor, then you prove yourself by writing scripts (or, usually they start with best selling novels or songs.)

Look at the CVs of some script editors, see how they started.

If you want to just do it freelance, then start charging your friends. Just let them know you can't afford to work for free any more. And, set up paypal or something on your website.

You could also try elance and freelancer.com, if you want to deal with loads of abuse and people who want you to work for a dollar an hour, but I'd start with existing customers. Make your reports more professional, create a simple company logo, send out invoices, and you're set.